Ending Poverty Together (Food for the Hungry (FH) Canada)

With guest Alice Kamau of Food for the Hungry Rwanda

We all know that access to clean water is crucial for health and hygiene, but have you ever considered the impacts clean water can also have on human dignity, empowerment, and self-esteem? 

In this episode, Alice Kamau, country director of FH Rwanda, dives into the ripple effects that clean water is having in the community of Bwira. Beyond improved health, less time and energy spent fetching water also means more time and energy for shaping a thriving community. From robust harvests, to increased school attendance, to women feeling empowered in their homes, clean water is more than just a basic necessity—it’s a catalyst for change!

Recommended Resources:

FH's work in Rwanda - summary and stories - webpage

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Patty-Leigh Thielmann from Food for the Hungry Canada

Turn on your faucet at home. Aren’t you astounded by how water is instantly at your fingertips? How that happens every time you go to the sink? How it’s fresh and clean? How that water doesn’t run dry or make your family sick? It’s actually incredible! Yet, for too many families around the world, access to safe water is still not a reality. Yet, in FH partner communities, the tide is turning!

Patty-Leigh Thielmann, VP of International Programs at Food for the Hungry (FH) Canada, highlights how access to clean water can transform lives in profound (and sometimes unexpected!) ways. Clean water is not only essential for health but also foundational for offering hope to families trapped in poverty. While it may seem obvious that clean water sparks a ripple effect of positive change, the details might surprise you. Discover how safe water is creating lasting impact and bringing waves of hope to generations.

For more, check out FH Canada's wholistic work - water included! - at fhcanada.org.

with special guest, Raskey Samnang, a student and debate champion from FH partner communities in Cambodia.

While on-site in Cambodia, host Shelaine sat down with Raskey Samnang, a remarkable young woman sparking positive change in her community. As the sole female member of a debate team that has gone on to compete at the Cambodian national level, Raskey is no stranger to hard work. She also knows what it takes to succeed.

Raskey’s journey hasn’t been without adversity. At a young age, Raskey faced pressures to drop out of school and help support her family, but she knew education had the power to shape not only her future, but the futures of other young people in her community. 

Meet Raskey and hear her story of resilience and self-confidence, and see her vision for how a younger generation can build a thriving future for their communities.

Recommended Resources:

FH Canada's partnerships in Cambodia - webpage

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Jonathan Papoulidis, VP of External Engagement at Food for the Hungry.

Can communities in the world’s most fragile regions, despite constant challenges, not only survive but thrive? In this episode, we’re joined by Jonathan Papoulidis, Vice President of External Engagement at Food for the Hungry, to dive into the power of resilience. 

Jonathan shares how resilience—through absorptive, adaptive, and transformative strategies—can turn the tide in the fight against poverty. FH partner communities facing instability are building stronger futures, even in the face of crises. Tune in to discover how resilience is the game-changer in ending poverty.

Recommended Resources:

FH and Resilience - webpage

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Stu Minshew CFO of Utilisouth, Inc. and co-owner of Living Stones Solutions

Let’s face it, our current work climate isn’t exactly accessible to those on the margins. Previous experience, access to technology, networking opportunities, these are all privileges that elevate certain populations while continuing to oppress the vulnerable. How can people within organizations, both leaders and workers alike, redefine their culture to not only welcome those on the margins as valuable members of their teams, but to help them thrive?

In this episode, Stu Minshew of Living Stone Solutions discusses the need for businesses to redefine their hiring practices, supply chain choices, and more to reflect our values and to help within our own communities. Listen in to gather some tips and tools that will help us all–business, church, and individual alike–move toward greater social impact.

Recommended Resources:

Living Stones Solutions

Utilisouth.com

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Bruce Taylor of Enviro-Stewards.

It can be difficult to think beyond today’s to-do list and budget. Yet, when it comes to your business having big environmental and social impacts, seeing beyond the immediate is crucial—for the health of the planet and for your business.

Bruce Taylor of Enviro-Stewards shares creative, innovative ways for companies to see beyond the quick fixes and move toward becoming carbon neutral, energy efficient, and responsible with water—all without sacrificing the bottom line. 

And lowered carbon footprints are not all that Enviro-Stewards is focused on. Bruce also offers some keen insights about the social impacts this company is having across the globe—impacts that are saving the environment and also helping individuals and families to flourish!

Recommended Resources:

Enviro-Stewards - website

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest David Harlley of Third Way Capital.

What is the responsibility of a business? Is it solely to make a profit, as economist Milton Friedman suggested in the seventies? Or is there more nuance to how businesses can interact with society, culture, and even poverty?

In this episode, David Harlley, CEO of Third Way Capital, dives deep into the idea of “impact investing”. If you’re not familiar with that term, don’t worry! It only hit the mainstream a few years ago. David breaks the concept down into easy to digest chunks that inspire action and push us to reconsider everything we thought we knew about business. When business and investing are done properly, they can be exactly what the world needs to tackle poverty.

Recommended Resources:

Completing Capitalism by Bruno Roche and Jay Jakub

The Myth of Capitalism by Jonathan Tepper and Denise Hearn

Do Good Business blog (David's blog)

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

with guest Luke Wilson, A Rocha Canada

When was the last time you stepped outside, took a deep breath of fresh air, and let yourself wonder at the beauty of creation?

There are lots of big questions when it comes to caring for our planet, but perhaps our first step in finding the answers is to simply let ourselves rediscover wonder. From there, the next steps to fixing our broken relationship with creation can begin to unfold. 

In this episode, Luke Wilson, CEO of A Rocha Canada, talks us through the importance of story in the climate change movement, the wonder of tasting a carrot fresh from the earth, and encourages each of us to find our own connection to creation.

Recommended Reading:

Planted by Leah Kostamo

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

with guests Wayne and Jane Dahl of Davis Meats. |

How can a local meat shop serve up global change? Wayne and Jane Dahl, the charismatic duo behind Abbotsford, B.C.’s Davis Meats are about to butcher your misconceptions about giving for community impact. To them, it was a no-brainer.

Not only have they carved a special place in their local community with Grade A cuts and quality customer service, they’re also impacting communities worldwide. By inviting customers to chip in a dollar or two, they’re beefing up community transformation by inspiring the purchase of pigs, chickens, and cows from the FH Canada Gift Guide to create their own “Davis Herd” that is helping vulnerable families thrive!

Listen in as these spunky entrepreneurs share their recipe for blending groceries with goodwill to fuel lasting impact! And stay tuned to the end for a special, meatier version of the Veggie Tales theme! 

Recommended Resources:

Davis Meats, Abbotsford - website

FH Canada Gifts for Change Gift Guide - website

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Danielle Strickland of IMBY (In My Backyard)

We’ve made a lonely world for ourselves. The way our society has designed suburbs, with white picket fences and private backyards, has left many feeling isolated and disconnected. In many ways, we’ve set up our lives for individualism and autonomy. Once the pandemic hit, many of us were faced with the disconnected life we had set up for ourselves. What’s the solution? It’s connection.

Danielle Strickland, renowned justice advocate and peacemaker, is passionate about fostering connection. In this episode, she offers a new take on how we can share spaces, land, home, and foster a community that alleviates all forms of human poverty through richer human connection. And it could involve something you might not expect—tiny homes.

Recommended Resources & Reading:

Recovering by Aaron White

Exclusion and Embrace by Miraslov Volf

Better Together: How Women and Men Can Heal the Divide and Work Together to Transform the Future by Danielle Strickland

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

with guest Carl Goosen of Fraser Valley Gleaners.

When you pick up a vegetable in the supermarket, it’s usually shiny and crisp, a treat for the eyes as well as the stomach! But what happens to all those veggies that may not look perfect, but are still perfectly edible? Here’s an organization that saves that healthy veg from being composted and puts it on the menu as a life-saving entrée. For over 20 years, Gleaners societies have been making and packing millions of servings of dried soup mix to ship around the world to help families in crisis!

Join Carl Goosen from Fraser Valley Gleaners and Lindsay Brucks from Food for the Hungry Canada as they discuss the process of turning these seemingly unwanted vegetables that grow in fields right here in Canada into soup that delivers life-saving aid around the world.

Readings & Resources:

Fraser Valley Gleaners

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

You may have heard the buzz that bees play a crucial role when it comes to biodiversity in our interconnected world, but did you know that these tiny insects are having a life-changing impact on farmers in Bwira, Rwanda? 

In celebration of International Bee Day, Leon Mugisha, Asset Creation Specialist at FH Rwanda, shares how beekeeping impacts farmers' livelihoods by providing economic opportunities that fund important needs like education and healthcare for families. Discover the interconnected systems approach that's helping vulnerable communities thrive as they turn honey and beeswax into sustainable livelihoods.

with guest Brian Doerksen, Canadian song-writer, instructor, and singer.

When hard things happen, a personal response—however that looks—is inevitable. When Brian heard the First Nation Band Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc announce that the remains of 215 children were found at the former residential school in Kamloops, BC, he was deeply impacted. Like many Canadians, he wrestled with what was being uncovered, the role of religious institutions in the injustices done, and what he should do next.

Brian Doerksen is a Christian songwriter, recording artist, and songwriting instructor who is well-known for songs such as Refiner’s Fire and Hope of the Nations. Brian shares his heart for writing the song 215 and where it has led him in this ongoing, communal journey toward hope for reconciliation.

Recommended Resources:

215 - official music video, Brian Doerksen

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest AHM Zaman of FH Bangladesh and Jenny Gutzmann of FH Canada

Climate change might be a loaded word, but no matter where you stand on the topic, for many areas of the world it’s a very ugly reality. Vulnerable communities on the coast of Bangladesh are being hit with rising sea levels and extreme weather events like never before, to name a few.

AHM Zaman, Senior Manager of Program Quality and Resource Development at FH Bangladesh, along with Jenny Gutzmann, Senior Program Officer at FH Canada, share how FH is helping communities prepare for shocks due to unprecedented environmental changes and increase resilience when calamity hits. Families in Bangladesh are preparing for futures where they can break away from reacting and surviving, and can instead focus on flourishing.

Recommended Resources:

FH Canada partnership in Bangladesh - webpage

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Joseph Lauren of Restorative Justice Housing Ontario

We’ve all been given a second chance at some point, one that probably had a hefty positive impact on our lives. Yet when it comes to former prison inmates, our society often hesitates to offer up second chances. With the chants of “Yes, but not in my backyard” opinions colouring society, how can ex-offenders with a criminal record find healthy housing or jobs? And without a roof over their head or a steady paycheck, how can they possibly reintegrate into society and achieve the so-called “normal life” that’s expected by the very people pushing them to the margins?

In this episode, Joseph Lauren of Restorative Justice Housing Ontario (RJHO) shares his personal story of being the first Canadian ever to serve a federal prison sentence for insider trading. Listen in as he shares candidly of the immense challenges ex-offenders face upon their release and what RJHO is doing to address these obstacles. We all have an opportunity to help by offering something as simple as a cup of coffee and a second chance.

Recommended Resources:

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Mike Janz, Food for the Hungry Canada.

While never having experienced material poverty himself, Mike’s been running into the messiness of poverty his entire life. He’s lived in urban centres across Canada, taken trips to Haiti, ran a coffee shop, pastored a church, fundraised for causes — and is constantly faced with knowing what the best response is to poverty. What do you do when what you tried fails?

Recommended Resources:

Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry;

Everywhere You Look by Scott Soerens;

The New Parish by Paul Sparks, Dwight Friesen, & Scott Soerens

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

with guest Kevin Wiebe of Pov.ology

We all struggle with poverty in one form or another, whether it be material, emotional, environmental, or spiritual. But if we all struggle with poverty, then how can we help one another?

In this episode, Kevin Wiebe, creator of Pov.ology, shares what it means to serve the needy when you’re one of them. As followers of Christ, Kevin emphasizes the importance of reflecting God’s character in everyday life, from small deeds, like stretching a meal to welcome another guest at a dinner table, to larger discussions, like reckoning with the importance of talking with people instead of talking about them.

Recommended Readings:

Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger by Ron Sider

Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne

Helping Without Hurting  by Corbett and Fikkert

Toxic Charity by Robert D. Lupton

Faithful in Small Things: How to Serve the Needy When You are One of Them by Kevin Wiebe

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

with guest Hyun Ju Jang of Korea Food for Hungry International.

In February 2022, the world reeled as Russia invaded Ukraine and triggered a massive humanitarian crisis. Eight million people have been displaced, fleeing their homes and seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.

In this episode, Hyun Ju Jang of Korea Food for Hungry International, an organization that has been working in Ukraine for years, offers a behind the scenes look at relief efforts. Jang takes us through the nuances of a Ukrainian refugee’s journey and the three priorities that aid organizations are upholding as they come alongside displaced peoples. Jang also reminds us all that, while these large numbers can be overwhelming, behind each number is an individual with their own story.

Recommended Resources:

Korean Food for the Hungry International

Give to Emergency Relief through Food for the Hungry Canada

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

With Nikki Whaites, VP of International Development at Big Bad Boo Studios.

We seemingly know more about world events than ever before—conflict, disasters, hunger, climate change, to name a few. In a world flooded with sensational headlines and heart-breaking stories, how do you avoid being overwhelmed by it all? How do you cut through the noise?

Nikki Whaites, Vice President of International Development at Big Bad Boo Studios, reassures that it's actually okay to feel overwhelmed! But, amidst the media clamour and the chaos of a world in strife, we can still engage in a meaningful way. Listen in as Nikki explores media’s connection to poverty and the ways in which we can channel our focus and passions to bring about positive change in our world.

Recommended Resources

Big Bad Boo Studies - website

with guest Jo Swinney of A Rocha International, and author of "A Place at the Table: Faith, Hope and Hospitality".

Talking about creation care and the state of the environment can feel heavy—we’re often left with doom and gloom and no real way forward. But fear not! Jo Swinney, Director of Communications at A Rocha International, is here to inject hope into the discussion. 

Jo grew up talking about the environment, gardening, and all things green around the dinner table; her parents were the founders of A Rocha, a Christian, environmental stewardship organization. She has experienced the intricate connection between creation care and the Christian faith. In this episode, Jo shares personal stories from her childhood in Portugal, illustrating the importance of community, hospitality, and how creation care is an act of worship. Jo also touches on the pressing issue of how environmental degradation disproportionately affects the poor, underscoring the need for responsible stewardship. 

Join the conversation as we explore the vital connections between faith, conservation, and community through Jo's inspiring journey and insights.

Recommended Resources:

A Rocha Canada - website

A Place at the Table: Faith, Hope and Hospitality - buy the book

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Allison Alley, Compassion Canada

It’s difficult to keep caring. How can we remain compassionate in light of so much hardship?

Allison Alley is the President and CEO of Compassion Canada, a global development organization that exists to permanently end childhood poverty in all its forms. In this episode, Allison shares about the unexpected dimensions of poverty, the vulnerability of children, the devastating effects of COVID-19 on children on the margins, and how we can help. Allison challenges us to shine a light, wherever we’re planted, and wake up to the “poverty of the wealthy” in our own lives.

Allison holds a Master of Arts in Global Leadership with an emphasis in International Development and Urban Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary and a Master of Business Administration from Ivey Business School. Allison and her husband live in London, Ontario and have two daughters.

Recommended Reading:

Eyes to See – A journey that helps teens to discover the spiritual nature of poverty, God’s heart for those in need, and the Church’s unique role to address poverty

 Step Into My Shoes – An immersive digital experience and devotional for families, churches, and groups

Walking with the Poor by Bryant Myers

Transforming Society by Melba Padilla Maggay

Shrewd Samaritan by Bruce Wydick

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

with special guest Richard Belcham, Inasmuch Community Society.

Many refugee claimants have extraordinary journeys. They are change makers, the people standing up for justice in their countries. Yet, too often the media lumps asylum seekers and refugee claimants in sweeping stereotypes. And too often, we believe it.

Richard Belcham from Inasmuch Community Society has spent years walking alongside refugee claimants as they begin new lives in Canada. In this episode, Richard shares powerful stories from asylum seekers and talks us through the systemic obstacles they face while settling in a new country. He also shares what we can all do to welcome refugee claimants in our own communities. Sometimes, it is as simple as offering a cup of cardamom tea.

Recommended Resources & Reading:

Along The Way Podcast

The Boat People by Sharon Bala

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

What is this podcast all about? Let's discuss real causes and real solutions, and the beautiful, messy attempts people all over Canada are making to help. Together, we’ll tackle the tough questions and explore how ordinary people like you can engage to create lasting change.

with guest Amie Gartner, a team member of Mission to Many.

Do you think it’s better to focus on helping here at home or across borders? Maybe you know this as the “local versus global” debate. Amie Gartner believes we can do both! 

Amie Gartner, a team member of Mission to Many, an interdenominational church collaboration from southern Alberta, has seen how one focus doesn’t mean ignoring the other. Through Mission to Many’s decade-long partnership with the community of Acul, Guatemala, Amie has seen its families move from being stuck in poverty to having hope for their futures. But it’s also been a reciprocal relationship! Their part in the partnership has deeply impacted herself, their Canadian team, and how they go about helping here in Canada, too.

Amie also reflects on how to better "do photography" when on a trip. She experienced the power of putting cameras and phones away while visiting  the community and how this opened up opportunities for even deeper, more meaningful connections.

Recommended Resources:

Partnership with a community - webpage

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Kevin McKay, Director of Business Partnerships at Food for the Hungry Canada

How do businesses and poverty alleviation intersect? What do we really mean when we say entrepreneurs are “uniquely equipped to tackle poverty”? Kevin McKay, Director of Business Partnerships at FH Canada, unpacks these ideas as he challenges us to see beyond the all-important bottom line to the opportunities business owners have for redemptive work—work that lets us all join in the renewal of all things. 

And we’re not just talking about transformation in far off parts of the world either! We’re talking about practical, real changes that real business owners can make to have real impact right here in our own communities, with our co-workers, customers, suppliers, neighbours—our entire business ecosystem!

Recommended Resources:

Business Partnerships with FH Canada

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Michael Prins of Food for the Hungry Canada.

It’s the time of year where charity Christmas gift catalogues find their way to your mailboxes and inboxes—but how do these practical, and hopefully meaningful, shopping options actually work? When you buy a pig for your mom, will a piglet wearing a red bow arrive on her doorstep Christmas morning? What happens to a community in Burundi if somebody suddenly donates 5,000 goats?

In this episode of the Ending Poverty Together Podcast, Mike Prins, with Communications at Food for the Hungry Canada, has all these answers and more for you! Listen to discover how a gift of a cow or a rabbit hops from the pages of the Gifts for Change Gift Guide right to the homes of families in need. Mike shares personal stories of impact sparked by real Canadians through the Gift Guide, and yes! He’ll even answer your question about the 5,000 goats.

Recommended Resources:

FH Canada Gift Guide

14 Questions You've Asked About Giving Goats

Thriving Communities Blog - stories of real families enjoying the Gift Guide

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

with guest Hieke Morton of Gathering Markit.

Have you ever heard of a meal kit doing more than offering convenience, but actually changing a life? In this episode, we’re talking about more than just a particularly delicious recipe with its pre-ordered box of fresh ingredients. We’re talking with red seal chef Hieke Morton, who has started a new spin on food banks with Gathering Markit, a non-profit grocery store offering meal kits, a fresh cup of coffee, and a safe place.

Hieke shares how the emotional impact of using a food bank touched her own life and how Gathering Markit is flipping an experience that can be rife with shame and stigma, and turning it into one of warmth and community. Through moving stories of her regular customers, she offers insight into how something as simple a recipe can change a life, the power of small actions to make a difference, and the utmost importance of putting dignity first.

Recommended Resources:

www.gatheringmarkit.com

Episode Hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Abraham Somavarapha of Advisors With Purpose.

You have people and causes that are near to your heart—even ones you wish you could support more than you already do. So, did you know that with good estate planning, you can do that and more? 

Abraham Somavarapha from Advisors With Purpose explores the benefits of estate planning—easing tax burdens, ensuring family is taken care of—and supporting what you care about. 

Discover how you can leave a legacy of impact, even beyond your lifetime.

Recommended Resources:

Do I need a plan? - take the survey

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Amos Manirakiza of Food for the Hungry Burundi

Do you remember when you learned to read? That excitement as new worlds and stories opened up to you? Literacy is a skill that affects every aspect of life. From traffic signs to job opportunities to even reading this podcast description! Your life would probably look pretty different if you hadn’t learned to read as a kid. But for too many children in Burundi, a future of illiteracy is an all-too-common reality.

In this episode, rediscover your own love of reading with Amos Manirakiza, Education Coordinator at Food for the Hungry (FH) Burundi, as he shares about the Let’s Learn to Read program. This innovative program is changing the narrative for kids struggling with literacy in Burundi. Not knowing how to read can have a real impact on self-esteem, leading many students to drop out of school. But with Let’s Learn to Read, children are turning the page on school dropout rates, unlocking a future of possibilities, and discovering a newfound love of learning.

Recommended Resources:

About the work in Burundi at FHCanada.org

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Andy Harrington of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank

The hunger crisis—it’s in the news a lot these days. Food prices have gone up every year since 2019. 1 in 4 are food insecure. Over 800 million go to bed hungry. 45% of child deaths globally were hunger-related. But why is hunger rising at such an alarming rate? And, in the face of such overwhelming need, can you and I really make a difference?

In this episode, Andy Harrington, Executive Director of Canadian Foodgrains Bank, sheds light on the root causes driving food insecurity. Statistics inform us of the need—and can be alarming with good reason—but tell a limited part of the story. With personal accounts about what displaced farmers face, how conflict limits resources, and the ways climate change is devastating local harvests, Andy reminds us that behind each stat is a real human with a real story. Andy’s hope-filled perspective reveals that each one of us holds the power to ignite astonishing change by starting with just one hungry person.  

The next time you see a news story about global hunger, don’t dismiss it as mere statistics. Instead, remember that a person lies behind that number—a person worthy of dignity and respect.

Recommended Resources:

Canadian Foodgrains Bank - homepage

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Andrey Sawchenko, International Justice Mission (IJM)

From the shirts in our closets to the TVs in our living rooms, do you really know where these products came from? Trying to track the supply chain that produced your blender is enough to make your head spin, especially when each piece may have come from a different country. It’s no wonder we feel overwhelmed when trying to figure out if a product has been made under fair working conditions before we buy it.

In this episode, Andrey Sawchenko of International Justice Mission (IJM) delves into the harsh realities of forced labor lurking behind many consumer goods. Despite the intricacies of supply chains, Andrey poses thought-provoking questions that challenge our understanding of ethical consumerism. Join us as we explore how to become more conscious consumers in such a complex world.

Related Resources:

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with special guest Angie Peters from Yonge Street Mission.

With each passing day, the income gap grows wider and wider. Business executives get richer, while their entry level employees are forced to use food banks. Timely medical care is accessible to those who can pay while others struggle on waitlists or skip filling a prescription. Fewer and fewer couples can afford their own home. Is this really the world we dreamed of? If so many people are being pushed to the margins, then, as a society, we must not be living in a way that aligns with our values. There must be something more that each of us can do.

In this episode, Angie Peters from Yonge Street Mission opens up about the power behind listening and coming alongside people who live in chronic poverty. She shares inspiring stories of what can happen when marginalized individuals are encouraged to rediscover their childhood dreams. Through Yonge Street Mission’s poverty hack-a-thon, Angie encourages us all to rethink how we see solutions to poverty. We all have skills, talents, and assets that make us the perfect person to come alongside someone in need—yes, even you! And the truth is, if we all help one person out of poverty, then we really can end poverty, together.

Recommended Resources:

Yonge Street Mission - website

Never Too Late To Start Learning - blog article

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Alison Williams, Christians Against Poverty (CAP)

Getting lost in debt can feel like a shameful thing. Yet many Canadians face the hardships of financial struggle every day. How can we break the cycle of shame to open these discussions and ask for help?

As the former Managing Director & Global Head of Strategy and Business Management for BMO Capital Markets, Allison Williams knows a thing or two about money. Now the board chair of Christians Against Poverty, Allison is using her extensive financial experience to help the underserved reclaim their lives by getting out of unmanageable debt. 

In this episode, Allison breaks down how the budgeting processes that make your eyes glaze over can actually be made simple and life-giving through the power of community, as well as offering practical tips for Canadians heading into tax season. When it comes to debt, a holistic approach can make all the difference.

Recommended Reading:

Nevertheless By John Kirkby

CAP Money Course

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

with guest Allison Alley of Compassion Canada and Edouard Lassegue of Compassion International.

Over the past decade, Haiti has been rocked by numerous natural disasters—earthquakes, hurricanes, drought, and more. The people of Haiti have time and again proven their resilience as they rebuild, but it raises the question, how best can the global community support them? What does it look like for organizations to respond urgently to an emergency, while still investing in long-term development?

In this episode, Allison Alley, President and CEO of Compassion Canada, and Edouard Lassegue, Vice President of the Latin America and Caribbean Region at Compassion International, break down the aftermath of the 2021 earthquake, as well as the effects of the compounding crises that have swept through the country in recent years. Take a listen to explore the consequences of the “brain drain” that is affecting many majority countries around the world, Haiti included, and the beautiful, messy tension that exists between long-term development and relief.

Readings & Resources:

Instagram: @allisonalley

Twitter: @_allisonalley

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Pastor Jeremy Cook of Sherwood Park Alliance Church.

When it comes to “missions” or helping overseas, the loaded words “mutual transformation” are often thrown around. But what does this idea actually look like in practice? In this episode, Jeremy Cook, Senior Associate Pastor from Sherwood Park Alliance Church, has an answer for you.

After nine years of partnership with FH, Jeremy shares personal life-changing stories about walking alongside a community in Burundi. From a prayerful encounter in his sponsor child’s home, to a simple ask to sing together that led to a worship experience that united people across cultures. The amazing thing is, these stories aren’t just about the transformation of the community in Burundi, they’re also about the transformation of lives right here in Canada.

Recommended Reading:

The Locus Effect by Gary Haugen and Victor Boutros

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

with guest David Witt of iTeams.

When you hear the words ‘community development’, what comes to mind? International or local? Urban or rural? While many people might default to thinking of a tiny international village, there’s plenty of community development work that needs to happen right here in Canada too.

In this episode, Dave Witt from iTeams, offers insight into what it means to work with those on the margins in urban centers in Canada. Dave shares moving anecdotes from real communities banding together and reminds us of the importance of recognizing that everybody has a story that leads them to where they are today, no matter their circumstances.

Recommended Resources & Readings:

The Twenty-Piece Shuffle

God In The Alley by Greg Paul

Slow Kingdom Coming by Kent Annan

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

with guest Jenny Shantz, Inner Hope Youth Ministry.

She’s seen it all. Working with teens and young adults in western Canada for most of her adult life, Jenny has seen things unimaginable to most Canadians. A lot of that has to do with fostering teens in her own home — something she’s done more than 50 times.

Recommended Resource: To view personal stories of hope, visit Inner Hope Youth Ministries profile page.

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

with guest Lindsay Machona, Executive Director at Expand Hope

Here, they ached to help in a meaningful way. There, they ached for better schools. So, when two communities—at first foreign to each other—came together with a common goal, who stood to benefit the most? 

Lindsey Machona, the Executive Director of Expand Hope, shares how mutual transformation and lasting change is possible and happening today through the partnership between a community of Canadians at Expand Hope and a community in rural Guatemala. 

Learn how the lives of Guatemalans and Canadians alike are changing for the better by walking together and focusing on quality education.

Recommended Resources:

Expand Hope - website

FH's work in Guatemala - webpage

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with special guest Ruth Thorogood of Thorogood.

It’s no secret that God is creative. When it comes to charity though, we often think in the same old patterns, especially when considering how best to walk with those in need. What would it mean for non-profits, donors, and the communities they serve, if we leaned into His creative nature?

Ruth Thorogood has spent years working with Christian non-profits, encouraging them to think creatively to expand their impact. In this episode, Ruth shares a vision with us, one that breaks apart the old model of charity by looking towards some of the most innovative people, young entrepreneurs. When churches and nonprofits engage their business people, impact can happen on a scale that we never imagined.

Recommended Resource:

Praxis Labs

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

with special guest Subodh Kumar, Food for the Hungry.

Oftentimes, numbers and statistics can be enough to make your eyes glaze over. But what if we viewed data in a different way? What if we recognized the story and the human faces behind each statistic?

In this episode, Subodh Kumar, Senior Director of Data for Good with Food for the Hungry, gets into the nitty gritty of monitoring and evaluation—but not in the way you would expect. 

Walk with him from the beginning of a community’s partnership with FH through to Graduation as he explains how data is really all about relationships. When we recognize that God is in a community long before any outside organizations arrive, then what may have once seemed like empty statistics suddenly become an incredible testimony of God’s work.

Recommended Reading:

God’s Story

Walking with the Poor by Bryant Myers

Effective Data Storytelling by Brent Dykes

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

with special guest Tanya Prinsep from Advisors with Purpose.

For most of us, writing a will is confusing, intimidating, and even frustrating necessity.. But what if we viewed these crucial documents and decisions in a different light—what if your will could act as a way for you to make statements about what is important to you and about the legacy you can leave?

In this episode, Tanya Prinsep from Advisors with Purpose, speaks candidly about the joys of living generously—not just financially, but with our gifts, time, and talents, too. Listen in as she offers insight on how to prepare a will that works for you, your values, and your family, all while leaving an impacting and generous legacy along the way.

Recommended Resources:

It's Never Too Early To Make A Plan - blog article

Advisors with Purpose

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Patrick Elaschuk.

Why is it that the best conversations happen around a meal? At one time or another, we’ve all (hopefully) been warmly welcomed into a home to not only eat great food, but also have a good chat—and join in community.

But for immigrants and refugees who have just arrived in Canada, finding community and much needed support through relationships is no easy task. Being the “new neighbour” is really hard.

Patrick Elaschuk, the Global Pastor at Tenth Church in Vancouver, shares about the mutual transformation that is taking place by newcomers and Canadians simply getting together in living rooms and around kitchen tables. He shares the impacts of meeting in homes, parks, and other common spaces rather than just in the church’s building, and how both newcomers and Canadians—despite their differences—are enjoying new friendships and experiencing belonging in incredibly richways. So often, good food and a good chat is all the support a newcomer needs.

Recommended Resources:

Tenth Ave Church - Global ministries

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Aaron White, director for 24-7 Prayer Canada, teacher at Westminster Theological Center, podcast host of Two Wise Fools, author, and neighbourhood enthusiast.

Have you ever taken time to walk through your neighbourhood and point out the beauty you see? It’s so easy to see the lacking, the grisly, the ugly, that all-too-often we miss the simple joy and charm all around us.

Aaron White, resident of the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, shares about the incredible beauty found in his neighbourhood—the beauty of “family”. Not necessarily always in a nuclear family, but in a biblical family that goes beyond bloodlines and into community. 

Sometimes focusing on the rough edges can leave us feeling helpless to bring about change in our own neighbourhoods, churches, and cities. But what if we started even smaller—with our tables? What if we invited someone new and began to change the way we eat together? Such a simple and beautiful invitation has the potential to ripple beyond our wildest imagination.

Recommended Resources:

Vancouver Downtown Eastside - Vancouver City website

24-7 Prayer Canada - website

Westminster Theological Center - website

Two Wise Fools - podcast

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Nicole Mucci of Union Gospel Mission, Vancouver, BC.

Long before the COVID-19 pandemic began, another health emergency raged on in the background across Canada: the opioid crisis. In British Columbia alone, thousands have lost their lives since the crisis was declared in 2016. In this episode, Nicole Mucci of Union Gospel Mission in Vancouver, BC shares about the stigma around addiction, how the overdose crisis is affecting community members, and how poverty and addiction don’t have to be the end of the road.

Content warning: This episode features an important and valuable conversation on the opioid crisis. Please be aware that potentially triggering topics like death, overdose, and trauma are discussed. If you or someone you love is living with addiction, please visit heretohelp.bc.ca

Recommended Resources & Readings:

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Dr. Gabor Mate 

Portraits of Loss: One hundred lives, felled by an overdose crisis - Globe & Mail article highlighting the devastating losses felt in 2020 due to the Opioid Epidemic. 

Union Gospel Mission’s blog

Vancouver Public Library - resources for overdose awareness

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

with guest Donna Harris, Praxis | Builders and Backers

Afghanistan’s drug economy is one of the most lucrative in the country. But what happens when a new business provides communities with jobs cultivating tea as an alternative agriculture? That’s when you get something truly helpful: “redemptive entrepreneurship”.

In this episode, Donna Harris of Praxis talks about “redemptive entrepreneurship” and how this can be embedded into the bones of a business with a desire to help—it’s not just about making money and giving part of it away; it’s about structuring a business to meet the needs of its community.

"You can build beautiful things, and you can be a leader that exhibits kindness and concern as well as grows a highly scalable business. It's a different way to think about the gift that entrepreneurship can be in the world".

Recommended Readings:

Strength to Love by Martin Luther King

Makers and Takers by Rana Foroohar

Don’t Be Evil by Rana Foroohar

Lincoln’s Melancholy by Joshua Wolf Shenk

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

For many of us, a cup of coffee is part of a regular morning ritual. But how often do we think about the person or people behind that cup of coffee? For countless smallholder farmers around the world, coffee is their livelihood. Yet, with limited land, fluctuating market prices, and changing climates, these farmers often still live below the poverty line. 

In this episode Mike Janz shares about how fair trade coffee makes its long journey from seed to our cups, exploring the realities that farmers face, and how the Better Coffee, Better Lives project in Guatemala is equipping farming with the knowledge and resources to improve their yields, access fair markets, and see hope-filled futures.

Tune in to learn how a better cup of coffee starts with empowering those who grow it—and how you can be part of that change!

with guest Brian McConaghy of Ratanak International.

Each year in Cambodia, thousands of young people are human trafficked and exploited—forced into the sex trade, sold to be basically slaves, and worse. Is it possible to stop this, to ultimately break this cycle of abuse? And let’s consider each survivor’s dignity; when someone has been treated without it for so long, living in such trauma, are they still ’to die for’ in the eyes of God?

Brian McConaghy, Founding Director of Ratanak International, joins us to pull open the difficult topic of human trafficking. Ratanak International, named after a baby girl who needlessly died in Cambodia, is dedicated to bringing hope to a society that would have saved this girl. While the story of human trafficking may begin dark, it can end with hope as survivors are continuously recovered and treated with the dignity and radical love that God sees for us all. 

Content warning: This episode features a valuable conversation on human trafficking. Please be aware that this discussion could be triggering and may not be suitable for all listeners.

Recommending Resources:

Ratanak International

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

Would you be surprised to learn that fair trade involves much more than simply fair wages? That, at its core, it’s actually about relationships that foster dignity, sustainability, and economic empowerment? 

Heidi Harms, Manager at Ten Thousand Villages, Abbotsford unpacks what fair trade really means, how it works, and who stands to benefit from it. Explore the power that your dollar has to inspire hope and transform lives, and how small choices—like the coffee you drink—can have lasting and life-changing impact!

with guest Carissa Youssef, Food for the Hungry Canada.

What is poverty, really? Where does it come from? What are ways to effectively tackle such a huge problem? Carissa’s been wrapping her head and heart around it for years. She shares life-lessons on healthy helping, and tells her own personal experience with poverty and why she now is pouring her life into walking alongside others experiencing this vulnerability.

Recommended Resources:

Helping Without Hurting by Corbett and Fikkert;

Why Business Matters to God: (And What Still Needs to Be Fixed) by Jeff Van DuzerEpisode

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

with guest Kadee Smedley of Covenant House Vancouver.

Consider the people in your life and where they come from— we don’t all get an equal “start”, do we? For too many youth in homelessness, the lack of a safe home, square meal, and warm bed rob them of mental health and personal belief in their future. Our teen and young adult years play a big role in the opportunities we have and how we achieve our goals.

Kadee Smedley, ordained minister and spiritual care practitioner at Covenant House Vancouver, shares about the life-changing importance of providing a safe, dignifying space for youth who have experienced trauma and homelessness. A fresh start can lead to a better future.

Recommended Resources:

Covenant House Vancouver

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

With guest Stephan Lutz Stephan Lutz, Senior Program Consultant for World Renew.

Farming is not a light job. We link it with dirt and dust, back-breaking work, and long hours sweating in the sun. But, have you ever thought about farming as an art? Where a farmer can try new crops, experiment with techniques, build new tools, and change as they go? In fact, farmers may be some of the most resourceful, ingenious, and creative people you know!

Stephan Lutz, Senior Program Consultant at World Renew, shares the need for art and beauty within community development. It’s tempting to think that development begins when help arrives, but Stephan reminds us that every community already has a story. That’s why it’s crucial to listen and learn that story first before assigning “solutions”—to ‘walk with’ instead of ‘do for’. When dignity is upheld and people have the choice to try new things, make mistakes, and learn, they take the lead in their own development journey and create something truly beautiful.

Recommended Resources:

World Renew's programs - website

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Randall Bear, from Nadleh Whut’en, Dakelh nation, of the Duntem’yoo Bear clan.

How is your story rooted in the place—the land—you call home? If you’ve been displaced from that place, is that another facet of poverty?

Randall Bear Barnetson, an Indigenous artist from Nadleh Whut’en in Northern BC who now resides in Vancouver, shares his personal experience with poverty—not poverty from a lack of possessions, but as a result in not living on the land he’s from. He shares about the importance of place and how wealth isn’t defined by how much you own, but is rather defined by being in community with others. Randall emphasizes the power of sharing our own stories, especially as they relate to the places we call “home”. For him, these stories find expression in his artwork, which is deeply shaped by his connection to his ancestral lands. Join Randall as we delve into place, poverty, and personal story.

Recommended Resources:

Randall Bear - Instagram

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Safaa Shahin for Food for the Hungry International.

Turn on the news; conflict makes the headlines—civil wars in Syria, strife in Ethiopia, disharmony closer to home, and more. Dispute is layered and complicated and hurts millions of people, and too often our external aid further exhausts those who’ve suffered enough. So, when conflict arises, how do we help without making things worse?

Safaa Shahin, originally from Syria and currently acting as Food for the Hungry’s Global Risk Resilience Lead, shares how conflict zones are especially fragile and even the best of intentions can do more harm than good. In order to promote peace and reduce conflict in any situation—in communities around the world or in our own neighbourhoods—we first need the right “lens” to understand each unique context. Safaa’s experiences will help you learn to be conflict-sensitive, and become a peacebuilder who helps foster hope.

Recommended Resources:

Fragility to Resilience - article

Our work of building Resilience at FH - webpage

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guests Pastor Ken Nettleton & Andrew McDonald, New Life Church.

How often do you wonder whose hands pick the beans that fill your morning cup of coffee? When we recognize the relational side of consumption—that there is someone behind the clothes we wear and the coffee we drink—we must reckon with our purchasing choices and if they really reflect God’s justice.

New Life Church in Duncan, BC is doing exactly this. After partnering with FH and the community of Acul, Guatemala, they’ve established an equitable supply chain that sends coffee all the way from Acul to Duncan. In this episode, Pastor Ken Nettleton and Andrew McDonald from New Life Church take a look back on this journey, what it means for the church’s Brew Life Cafe, and how it has transformed lives from farmer to consumer. 

And as New Life examines how to apply what they’ve learned from Acul in their own community, it begs the question: Does the Church really have to choose between local and international partnership? Or can Kingdom work happen in both and because of both?

Recommended Readings:

A Field Guide to Becoming Whole by Dr Brian Fikkert and Kelly Kapic

Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger by Ron Sider

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

with guest Jenny Stoecker, Senior Program Officer at Food for the Hungry Canada.

You have to admit— you can’t always do things on your own. Whether it’s a neighbour to hold the ladder, a friend to drive us to the airport, or a shoulder to lean on for comfort, we all need the support of our community. So why is it that organizations all-too-often view each other as competitors instead of allies?

Join Jenny Stoecker, Senior Program Officer at Food for the Hungry Canada, as she highlights how collaboration, when done well, can mean the difference between band-aid fixes for poverty versus deep, positive change not only for the present, but for the future as well. Every organization has unique strengths and fields of expertise. So, when melting pots replace silos, organizations learn from each other, become stronger together, and are better suited to come alongside the people they serve.

Recommended Resources:

Better Together - blog article

Collaborative Resources from FH Canada

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest David Collins, founding president of Food for the Hungry Canada. |

Did you know Food for the Hungry Canada started with just two people, a lot of risk, and a big vision? Journey to the past with us as we celebrate 30 years of FH Canada with founding President David Collins. 

From humble beginnings to navigating the challenging landscape of relief and development work, David shares candidly about the early days. And yet, it is those same challenges and extreme circumstances that shine a light on human resilience, the strength of community, and God’s provision. 

Join us in celebrating 30 years of history, faith, and an unwavering commitment to end poverty together—one community at a time. 

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Kenzie Watson, Pastor of Children’s Ministries at Lambrick Park Church

Have you talked to your kids about poverty? Of all the things to teach children, this may be far down your list—too complicated, too jarring for their young minds, and too uncomfortable a topic. But poverty, in your neighbourhood or around the world, is simply unavoidable and we should not shirk helping our kids navigate what they see and hear and experience.

Kenzie Watson, Pastor of Children’s Ministries at Lambrick Park Church, shares how we adults often needlessly complicate our responses or avoid talking with kids about poverty. Rather, Kenzie pushes us to start the conversation by sharing with kids why facing poverty is important—it's rooted in our call to generously love our neighbors as Jesus does. Kids get this, and their perspectives can be powerful. You may be surprised at how a child will address solutions to poverty.

Recommended Resources:

Poverty—No Kidding - curriculum for children

Lambrick Park Church - website

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Joeline Magill of Hope Restored.

We all know what it's like to want to belong—it's an intrinsic part of what makes us human. For those who grew up in a healthy family environment, these needs are met through bedtime stories, family dinners, outings, and more. But what about people who didn’t share that privilege? What are the connections between these unmet needs and exploitation and human trafficking? And don't kid yourself, this dark world lurks even within our own neighbourhoods and cities.

Hear from Joeline Magill, Executive and Founding Director at Hope Restored Canada, as she shares how this deep desire for love and belonging can easily be exploited, but also how healthy relationships can bring healing and restoration to people who have experienced sexual exploitation and trafficking. Listen in as Joeline urges us to pay attention and teaches us to recognize warning signs so we can confront exploitation before it starts.

Recommended Resources

Hope Restored - website

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Kate Masson of Ian Martin Group.

Nowadays, people work a lot. Working hours keep going up and up and work-life balance is only getting more elusive. In fact, we often spend more time with our colleagues than our own family members. This current working model isn’t sustainable, but how do we fix it? Is there a way for business leaders to build a healthy culture of belonging and genuine care within the workplace?

Kate Masson, Community Manager for Ian Martin Group, knows all about what it is like to break a business down to basics and build it back up into a stronger version of itself. In this episode, she shares about how leadership intent is key to lasting change, the growing pains of a strong workplace culture, and how businesses truly are uniquely positioned to tackle poverty.

Recommended Resources & Reading:

The Five Dysfunctions of Team by Patrick Lencioni

The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni

The Teal O/S: teal.ianmartin.com

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

with guest Henok Girma of Food for the Hungry Ethiopia.

It may be shocking to hear that, in some communities around the world, the practice of female genital mutilation continues to be commonplace. This is a sensitive and difficult topic, and we’re honoured to welcome Henok Girma from Food for the Hungry Ethiopia to share his experience working in communities and regions that keep to this tradition.

Henok dives into the history of female genital mutilation, as well as the root causes that have led to this harmful traditional practice. But Henok also shines hope into this dark topic by discussing the importance of entering communities as a student of the culture, offering a non-judgemental attitude while still caring for the women of the community and advocating for a path forward.

Content warning: This episode features a valuable conversation on female genital mutilation. Please be aware that this discussion could be triggering and may not be suitable for all listeners.

Recommended Resources:

Thriving Communities blog - Women & Girls

International Women's Day

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guests Wendi Park of Care Impact (formerly Forever Families) and Craig Thiessen of Ross Road Community Church

How did you respond the last time someone living in homelessness approached you on the street? How about when you learned that your neighbour was struggling with loneliness? Or when you heard about drought overseas on the news? When we’re confronted with the devastating effects of poverty, it can feel pretty overwhelming. After all, what can one person really do to make a difference?

In this episode, Wendy Park and Craig Thiessen share about a workshop that helped them challenge their assumptions around poverty—the Ending Poverty Together Workshop (you heard that right! We share a name!). They share about the experience of coming together with other like-minded Canadians, how the interactive exercises equipped them to make a difference in their communities, and how you can get involved too.

Because, as it turns out, one person can actually do quite a lot when it comes to poverty—especially when they walk alongside others.

Recommended Resources:

Ending Poverty Together Workshops

Ending Poverty Together Promotional Video

Episode by Shelaine and Eric.

with guest Andrea Soberg, Business Professor at Trinity Western University.

When it comes to work, we all want to be valued for who we are and for what we bring to the table. You’d never want our potential to be out-weighed by stereotypes or inconveniences before even being given a chance. Yet, when it comes to hiring a woman, all-too-often potential employers first see the challenges rather than the unique expertise and passions she may bring to a role.

Andrea Soberg from Trinity Western University shares about what women and other minority groups face in securing good jobs. More than raising awareness, she offers tangible suggestions to employers—let’s start thinking differently about work and begin designing jobs in new, creative ways.

So the next time your company is hiring, perhaps the question needs to be asked, is there room for building this role differently? The results in your workplace may be surprising, in the best way possible!

Recommended Resources:

International Women's Day - toolkit, Gov't of Canada webpage

Interview with Andrea Soberg - article

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Dr. Brian Fikkert, The Chalmers Institute, author of bestseller When Helping Hurts.

In North America, success often means lots of stuff — material wealth. Then, poverty is the lack of material wealth. And so, to help someone in poverty is to make sure they have more stuff! But is that what poverty is really all about?

Dr. Brian Fikkert hits us with a healthier way of understanding who is “the poor” (spoiler: it might include YOU, too) and how we should look at poverty. What should our goal be when trying to help, and not hurt?

Recommended Resources:

Walking with the Poor by Bryant Myers

Becoming Whole: Why the Opposite of Poverty isn't the American Dream" by Fikkert and Kapic

The Field Guide to Becoming Whole by Fikkert and Kapic

When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor....and Yourself by Corbett and Fikkert

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

with guest Dr. Ray Aldred, Director of the Indigenous Studies at the Vancouver School of Theology.

How does looking back at Canada’s history with Indigenous Peoples inform how to participate today in reconciliation? And what is the role of faith in this conversation when so much hurt was endured in the name of the Church? 

Reverend Dr. Ray Aldred, Director of the Indigenous Studies at the Vancouver School of Theology, reminds us that reconciliation is a process, not a one-time event. He offers that looking back to the historic treaty process may be a good place to start. If treaties were meant to help people enjoy a peaceful existence and access to the bounty that the land provides, perhaps we can learn from this in our pursuit of reconciliation. We came together at one time because we needed one another—perhaps we can again.

Recommended Resources:

Indigenous Studies programs at Vancouver School of Theology

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

With guest Laura Solberg, Executive Director of Kentro Christian Network.

In a world that champions individuality and independence, the idea of being connected often takes a back seat. We may say “we’re all in this together”, but how often do we see that truly play out? Yet, with connection comes a whole world of unexpected benefits.

Join us as Laura Solberg, executive director of Kentro Christian Network, sheds light on the true value of connection and relationship between individuals and organizations alike. Discover how being part of a network can go beyond access to resources or financial benefits and create a sense of belonging that fosters growth and impact. Because, when you really dig deep, our world doesn’t just have an independence issue—we have a disconnection issue.

Recommended Resources:

Kentro - website

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Daniel Whitehead, Sanctuary Mental Health.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve all felt the lonely press of isolation. We are relational beings, and this lack of togetherness can have devastating consequences. But given the long-standing stigma around mental health, how do we admit that maybe we’re not doing as well as we thought? How do we ask for help?

In this episode, Daniel Whitehead of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries takes a moment to ask us how we’re all doing in the face of the ongoing pandemic. He also shares about the importance of togetherness, the lessons we can learn from majority cultures that value interdependence over independence, and leaves us all with another poignant question: What restores your soul and when was the last time you did it?

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

with guest Peter Roebbelen, President of the Charis Foundation.

Have you ever stared at rows upon rows of products on the grocery store shelf and felt paralyzed by the options? Don’t they all do pretty much the same thing? Some could argue the same thing is happening in the charity world, where services may be duplicated because nonprofits are doing the same work, sometimes even right down the road from one another.

In this episode, Peter Roebbelen, President of the Charis Foundation, stresses that partnership and collaboration is a “high Kingdom value”—one of the most powerful tools we have for making a difference. He encourages organizations, charities, and businesses to look for ways to work together more closely. It’s not about slicing out smaller pieces of the pie, but rather through collaboration we expand the size of the entire pie! And then we have more to give those we’re working to serve.

Recommended Resources:

Charis Foundation - website

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Carmyn Prefontaine.

When you donate, you're accustomed to hearing about the impact of your dollars, time, and commitment—but what about the way your gifts impact your own life? Behind every healthy organization is a family of donors who have been invited into "mutual transformation"—they spur on change, but their own worldviews and relationships are changed by the hope they are a part of, too.

Food for the Hungry (FH) can only walk alongside communities around the world thanks to our donors—partners like Carmyn Prefontaine, who has been invested in FH's work for over 20 years! Child Sponsorship, Gift Guide, business partnerships, vision trips, workshops—you name it—Carmyn has been involved. Yet, she wants to tell you that she's received as much from this relationship as she’s given.

Recommended Resources

Get Involved at FH Canada

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Su Min Park of Korea Food for the Hungry International.

How can your church combat global poverty while sparking transformation closer to home? Su Min Park, Senior Associate at Korea Food for the Hungry International, has an answer for you. 

Travel with Su Min as he recounts his recent trip to Toronto to connect with Korean churches. Alongside celebrated Korean artists Kim Jung Hwa and Yoo Eun Sung, they shared a captivating decade-long story. It begins with sponsoring a child in Uganda and unfolds into a transformative journey spanning childhood, adulthood, marriage, and happiness on all sides.

Raised in the Philippines as the son of Korean Christian missionaries, and with over a decade of experience within international development, Su Min’s passion for change is profound. Discover how your church’s support can change not just one life, but many lives in entire communities as they journey out of poverty.

Recommended Resources:

About Korea Food for the Hungry International - website

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Melissa Giles of BC Rent Bank.

Rental prices are a hot topic of conversation these days. With increased cost of living and housing shortages, everyone is feeling the pressure. For those living in a low to moderate income bracket, paying the rent can be challenging at the best of times—then when a crisis hits, it can become near impossible. This is where rent banks, an eviction prevention and housing stability resource for renters, can step into the gap.

Melissa Giles, Managing Director at BC Rent Bank, explains what rent banks do, who is eligible to access them, and why they can be a critical resource for many Canadians who are struggling to pay rent due to a crisis or change in their situation. Learn how BC Rent Bank helps residents stay in their homes through an empathetic and dignifying process.

with guest Musu Taylor-Lewis of Food for the Hungry (FH) Canada.

Ponder with Musu as she considers our global “family”, and shares from her own life story. Growing up and living in communities in Sierra Leone, parts of Europe, and Canada has influenced her view of culture, economics, beauty, and what a faith-led response to poverty might be.

Musu Taylor-Lewis is Food for the Hungry Canada’s newly appointed President & CEO (as of June 2023). As a self-proclaimed ‘unapologetic dreamer with her feet firmly planted on the ground’, Musu shares about her leadership style, her dreams for FH Canada, and what gives her hope in this work of poverty alleviation.

Recommended Resources:

A Presidential Chat: FH Canada Welcomes A New Leader - online article

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Matt Miles of the Jesus Collective.

In the 1950s, simply living in North America typically meant having some understanding of Christianity—or at least a passing familiarity with a few Bible stories. As the decades have spun on and society has grown more secular, this sort of ‘cultural Christianity’ is starting to fade away, but is that necessarily a bad thing?

In this episode, Matt Miles, Executive Director of Jesus Collective, takes on hard-hitting questions about how things have changed over time, ranging from poverty to theology. Matt assures that we need not be afraid of these changes, but rather lean into them! In doing so, we just might have an opportunity to engage deeper with a new generation that hungers for justice, peace, and identity–all things that Jesus offers.

Recommended Resources:

Jesus Collective - website

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with Guest Dr. Cheryl Bear, from Nadleh Whut’en First Nation

It’s no secret that in Canada, there’s a complicated relationship between the descendents of settlers and the Indigenous people. We see that Indigenous people more often experience material poverty and systemic racism, but many of us don’t know the historical reasons for this inequality. And we don’t know what to do about it. 

In this episode, Cheryl Bear of the Nadleh Whut’en First Nation shares some of the painful context for where we find ourselves today and offers hope for a way toward reconciliation.

Recommended Resources:

Introduction to First Nations Ministry by Cheryl Bear

The Honor Drum by Cheryl Bear

The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King

One Church, Man by Richard Twiss

Hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

with guest Musu Taylor-Lewis of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank

In a world that produces enough to feed everyone, why are 700 million people going hungry?

In this episode, Musu Taylor-Lewis from Canadian Foodgrains Bank breaks down the global hunger crisis with us, starting with the effects of climate change, conflict, and COVID-19 on food insecurity. Though 700 million can feel like an overwhelming number, Musu shares what we can each do as individuals to help those facing hunger.

Because the truth is, the global hunger crisis isn’t only about food—it’s about justice too.

Episode hosted by Shelaine and Eric.

What if the opposite of addiction isn’t freedom or sobriety, but connection?

Drug addiction is devastating, affecting communities worldwide. But is addiction the problem to be solved, or is there something deeper at play?

Dr. Meera Grover, is a Christian and a physician. She started her work in international development and has most recently spent years working on the front lines of the opioid crisis in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and Calgary. With the highest level of addiction medicine training in Canada—and a background in theology—she’s wrestled with the complex ethical questions surrounding substance use, harm reduction, and what it means to offer true hope.

In this episode, Dr. Grover shares how her beliefs have been shaped by working in supervised consumption sites and building relationships with those experiencing poverty and addiction. Through these experiences, she’s come to see addiction not as the problem itself, but as a symptom of something deeper: poverty, disconnection, and a longing for belonging.

Tune in for part 1 of this eye-opening conversation as we explore addiction, personal faith, and the sacredness found in unexpected places.

What‘s your response to the term “harm reduction”? Do you realize that you participate in harm reduction daily? Things like, strapping on a seatbelt, using railings on staircases, or scrubbing your hands with hot, soapy water all attempt to minimize risk in some way. Yet, perhaps your reaction to harm reduction feels a little different when it comes to drugs. So, why?

Dr. Meera Grover challenges us to take a deep look at our beliefs surrounding substance use and harm reduction. Are they rooted in a stigma or in cultural views of those who struggle with substance use and misuse? Are they rooted in a love for God’s people that reflects His heart?  

Dr. Grover is a physician and a Christian with a background in theology. She began her career in international development and later transitioned to working on the front lines of the opioid crisis in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside and Calgary. With the highest level of addiction medicine training in Canada, Dr. Grover has grappled with the complex ethical questions surrounding substance use, harm reduction, and the true meaning of hope.

Tune in for part 2 of this important conversation as we talk about addiction, faith, and the power of being present.

With guest Ingrid Delgado of Food for the Hungry Guatemala.

It’s hard to imagine dealing with a natural disaster, especially during a pandemic. In late 2020, Guatemala faced two devastating back-to-back hurricanes. Two years later, families are still recovering and dealing with the multi-layered challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. When communities needed one another the most, they were told to distance themselves. It’s not hard to see why people’s mental health suffered.

Ingrid Delgado of FH Guatemala shares about new mental health initiatives that are having a huge impact for particularly women and families in Guatemala. Listen in to discover how promoting education and understanding about mental health is going a long way in helping communities to recover and have hope for the future. And these lessons apply in our daily lives too! When we normalize the feelings we all experience, our compassion and community around mental health grow.

Recommended Resources:

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Veasna Pin, Program Operation Director from FH Cambodia.

What do delicious barista-made drinks, sharp haircuts, and a finely tuned engine all have in common?

By Grade 6 or 7, many Cambodian children from vulnerable families drop out of school. While kids in Canada are learning about the solar system, too many kids in Cambodia are working in the fields or on construction sites sacrificing their education to help their families survive. But that’s not the end of their story.

In this episode, Veasna Pin, Program Operation Director from FH Cambodia, shares how a new youth vocational training program is opening up a world of possibilities for these vulnerable youth. With pivotal mentorship, lifeskills training, and business development, youth who had given up on education are now pursuing their dreams, starting their own businesses, and supporting their families in ways they never imagined.

So, what do delicious drinks, haircuts, and an engine have in common? These are just a few of the skills now expertly offered by the youth in this program! Tune in to discover the full story!

Recommended Resources:

Partnership in Cambodia - webpage

Episode hosted by Shelaine.